Pivot-light for automobiles.



- H. c. PRANDSEN. Y PIVOT LIGHT FOB AUTOMO BILBS.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 5, 1910.

Patented 11 11.4, 1911.

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\ To all 'whom it may concern;

UNI ED STATES PAgENT OFFICE.

HARRY C. FRAllDSEN, OI CONCORD, CALIFORNIA.

PIVOT-LIGHT FOR ALUTOMOBILES.

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby a pivotally mounted light will turn in unison with the front wheels of the vehicle so that the rays of the lamp will be cast always along the road directly in the line. of travel and irrespective of the sinuosity of the path traversed by the vehicle.

- A furtherobject is-to provide means by. -which the lamp can be uncoupled from the steerin mechanism at any time and be held position. v The invention consists of the parts and .construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and j claimed, having reference to the accompany- ,a ve icle frame and steerin h .in drawin in whichso i e 1 ma side elevation of a portion of mechanism showing the applicatip of t e invention. Fig. 2 1s a plan view 'o the means for couling the lamp to the steering mechanism. ig. 3 is a view similar'-,-to Fig. 2, with the lam in uncoupled, fixed positlon. Fig. 4 is a dgtail in partial section of the lamp bracket and its connections.

A represents any suitable part of a vehicle frame offering an appropriate support for the lamp 2. The lamp 2 is here shown as mounted on a bracket 3 which has a vertical stem 4 pivotin in a sleeve 5 which is suitably attached tot e vehicle frame member A.

This sleeve 5 is here shown as having a top lug 6 by which it can be bolted, as shown at 7, Fig. 4, to the part A. If desired, antifriction members 8 may be interposed between the top of the sleeve and a collar 9 on bracket 3 to reduce friction. The lower end of the stem 4 projects below the sleeve', hear- 'ing 5 and carries a gear 10, which is 'operated through the following specially -designed connections; either the steering Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911 Application filed December 5, 1910. Serial No. 595,582.

knuckle connections'or the tiller wheel of the vehicle. 1

11 represents the usual rod which runs from the steering m'echanism represented at 12, to the steering knuckles -(not shown) to guide the steering .wheel ofthe vehicle. At some suitable point along thelength of the rod 11, Iconnect my coupler rod 12, which latter has a rack 13 at its forward and adapted tobe moved in and out of mesh with the gear 10, which latter isrigid with the lamp stem 4' and bracket 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the lower end of the sleeve bearing 5 has an offset slotted guide 14, which forms a slide-way for the rack 13 and a supporting guide for the gear 10. When it is desired to work the lamp in unison with the steering wheels or steering tiller the rack 13 is put in mesh with gear 10, as shown in Fig. 2,

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and a reversi 1e bearing block 15, shown as substantially T-shaped, is locked in position behind the flat back of the rack 13 by means of a bolt 16; the portion of the block .15 which bears against the flat back of the rack 13 being also smooth and flat and forming a guide and support to maintain the rack 13 and pinion 10. in mesh.

This is the usual position of'the parts when the lamp is lighted and it is desired to see the roadway directly in the path of travel of the vehicle.

In the day time if not desired or necessary to use the lamp, and in order to avoid wear on the parts, I have provided means by which the rack 13 can be quickly disconnected from the pinion 10, and the pinion 10 and lamp locked fixedly in straight-ahead position. To this end the bearing block 15 has a lateral projection .17 provided with i one or more gear teeth 18, which when the parts are reversed, as shown in Fig. 3 will engage with the teeth of the pinion 10. With the parts in this position, shown in Fig. 3, the flat'back of the bar 12 will bear against the rear wall of the guide 14 and the teeth of the rack 13 will slide free alon the smooth back of the reversible bearing lock 15; it being understood that the length of the projection 17 and'the proportion of the other parts and position of the pivot16, are all such as to permit of this desired reversal.

In practice, a lamp with this attachment can be applied to any vehicle already in use without any special appliances. To couple the lamp to the steering gear or steering necessary to take out the bolt 16, remove block 15 from behind the rack 13, push the rack back against the rear wall of guide 14; and re-insert block 15 in reverse position, as shown in Fig. 3 and lock the same in place by the wing bolt 16.

One advantage of this construction is that it can be applied to any vehicle already in use; also that the long sleeve bearing 5 obviates vibration; and furthermore, the support for the lamp is stiffened by the angular brace flange 6, so that the part A is firmly locked in the angle formed by the vertical part of the sleeve bearing 5 and the flange 6. Another important feature is the rack and pinion connection, and the means for disengaging the lamp, as just described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-.

1. The combination of a lamp bracket, having a vertical stem, a sleeve bearing of considerable length in which the stem turns, said sleeve bearing having an offset flange for attachment to a part of a vehicle frame,

the stem carrying a pinion, a rack engageable with the pinion, and reversible means to hold the rack against the pinion capable of being inserted between the rack and pinion to lock the latter against turning with out interfering with the reciprocating movewith the turning movements of the Vehicle,-

and means interposed between the rack and pinion to lock the latter-in place without interfering with the sliding movement of the rack. l

turnable in suitable bearings from side to side, a vertical stem for the bracket, a pinion on the stem, a sliding rack to mesh mththe 3. The combination of a lamp bracket pinion, a slotted guide for the rack and pin- I ion, and a reversible bearing block 'insertible alternately behind the rack to hold it in mesh with the pinion and in front .of the rack to hold it'out'of mesh therewith, and

' means for holding the blocln in reversed position. v I In testnnony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY (1- FRANDSEN.

Witnesses: v 7

CHARLES EnnLMAN, D. B. VALENTINE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of iaten-ts,

I Washington, D. G. a 

